Bible Strands
Job 20:27
The heavens will expose his iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Zophar addresses Job in this second round of dialogue, immediately after describing the hidden destruction awaiting the wicked and before detailing the loss of his household. The words — יְגַלּ֣וּ (ye.galu) means “they will reveal,” and מִתְקוֹמָ֘מָ֥ה (mit.ko.ma.mah) means “will rise up.” The thread — The pattern of concealed guilt being uncovered and creation participating in divine judgment runs through Job 16:18, Isaiah 26:21, and Luke 12:2. Why it lands — The text states that the heavens will expose the wicked man’s iniquity and the earth will rise against him, showing that creation itself acts as a witness and agent of accountability. It demands the reader acknowledge that no wrongdoing remains hidden from scrutiny, removing any basis for self-defense.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.
Cross-references
- Job 16:18 O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help never be laid to rest.
- Isaiah 26:21 For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.
- Luke 12:2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.
- Deuteronomy 31:28 Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officers so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
- Job 18:18 He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world.
- Psalms 44:20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
- Jeremiah 29:23 For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.”
- Malachi 3:5 “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.
- Romans 2:16 on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.